Reference
Diane Hendrick M Ed. Coordinator WCCC Campus Children’s Center Ages 3-12
The Kite Fighters by Linda Sue Park
Appropriate for middle school age children
I think this book could be used in a lesson on perseverance and /or family dynamics/differences
Summary
The story takes place in Seoul, Korea in 1473. The main characters are two brothers Kee-sup (the oldest) and Young –sup.
The story begins shortly after the 15 day New Year celebration. During the celebration everyone celebrates his birthday and receives a gift. Kee-sup received a kite, a wonderful kite, a kite full of artistic details to represent a fierce presence into the sky. Young-sup’s birthday gift was a yut set, a traditional Korean board game.
Various times throughout the story Young-sup feels jealousy over his brother’s position in the family. As the oldest son Kee-sup is given to privileges not bestowed upon Young-sup. But even through these jealous feeling Young-sup is respectful because of his family’s belief in filial piety. You see Kee-sup had just had his capping ceremony which made him superior to Young-sup in the community’s eyes.
Even though the kite belonged to Kee-sup, Young-sup was a better kite flyer and frequently he would help Kee-sup with flying maneuvers. As the boys learned to fly better and better, from the distance a young king watched the kites sour and dip. One day he approached the brothers and asked them to make him a kite. And they did; a marvelously crafted, meticulously painted golden kite. The king and the brothers became friends, they played games together and they taught the king to fly the kite.
As a the new year celebration came close the king asked the Young-sup to fly the kite in the kite fighters competition because the king felt that no one would even try to beat the king if he competed. He knew Kee-sup was a great kite designer and builder while Young-sup was a great kite flyer. They agreed but only after talking to their father. The father would allow Kee-sup to fly the kite because he was the oldest. But Kee-sup, against filial tradition confronted his father who agreed to allow Young-sup to fly the kite. Kee-sup devised a mixture of porcelain powder and rice/glue to place on the kite string to make it cut the other lines more quickly. They only used the mixture after they had consulted with a kite expert and the king to make sure it was not against the rules.
On the day of the competition Young-sup won round after round but found that not only had the mixture helped him to cut the other’s kites strings it also began to fray his kite sting so all of the line with the mixture was cut away. He finally faced the reigning champion and won.
The story gives strength to the ideal behind filial piety, responsibility and honesty.
